Kenwood to develop in-car MPH receiver based on inband mobile DTV system

December 21, 2007

Kenwood has become the first major manufacturer of automotive electronics to announce its intention to develop a mobile DTV receiver for over-the-air broadcasts in North America.

Preliminary plans for a prototype in-car MPH receiver will be announced publicly at the 2008 International CES in January at the Kenwood booth N1001.

In late 2008 or early 2009, the company will manufacture prototype terrestrial DTV receivers based on the MPH in-band mobile DTV system, developed by Harris and LG Electronics. Other CE companies may follow suit shortly thereafter.

MPH is capable of providing robust terrestrial DTV signals to mobile, pedestrian and handheld devices. For consumers, MPH enables users to view their favorite broadcast TV programs, including movies and sports, and access local news and weather information. For DTV broadcasters, this new technology has the potential to create lucrative new revenue streams.

ATSC digital television — which was optimized for transmission to fixed receivers — will be the only high-power broadcast television service in the United States after February 2009 when high-power analog broadcasting ceases. MPH represents a significant upgrade to ATSC, allowing excellent DTV reception performance in cars, even at highway speeds.